Latest news with #AndersenAirForceBase
Bloomberg
6 days ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Singapore, US Drop Plans for F-15 Fighter Jet Detachment in Guam
Singapore and the US have ended plans to base Republic of Singapore Air Force fighter jets in Guam, the Ministry of Defense said Tuesday, citing a review of training needs. The two sides 'mutually agreed to discontinue discussions' on the proposed detachment, which would have stationed up to 12 F-15 aircraft at Andersen Air Force Base starting in 2029. The decision was announced by the US Department of the Air Force in July and reported by media in Guam.
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Singapore, US scrap plans for F-15 fighter jet training in Guam
Plans for a Singaporean fighter jet training presence in the US territory of Guam have been shelved, both governments have confirmed, despite years of preparation and investment in upgrading the US Air Force base on the Pacific island. Singapore and the United States had agreed to 'discontinue discussions' on deploying 12 Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-15 fighter jets to Guam, the city state's defence ministry announced on Tuesday. This followed an earlier statement from the US Air Force that it would not proceed with hosting the 12 F-15 aircraft at Andersen Air Force Base, even after completing an environmental review and – according to media in Guam – the commencement of major construction to expand the base by about 209 acres (85 hectares). Infrastructure upgrades at the base will continue, but the US will not 'implement or carry forward the beddown' of the 12 aircraft 'nor associated aircraft airfield operations to include temporary support aircraft, and RSAF personnel or their families', according to a record of the decision dated July 16 and signed by Michael E. Saunders, acting assistant secretary of the US Air Force. An RSAF F-15 air-superiority fighter (centre) and two F-16s fly in formation over the South China Sea in 2018. Photo: AFP Responding to queries from This Week in Asia, Singapore's Defence Ministry said that both countries had 'mutually agreed to discontinue discussions on a RSAF fighter training detachment in Guam' following a review of the air force's training needs. The ministry added that the RSAF would continue to conduct periodic short-term training and exercises in Guam, including a coming fighter training detachment scheduled from October to November.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What to know about the US B-2 bombers heading to Guam
Multiple B-2 stealth bombers were headed to Guam Saturday, two sources familiar with their movements told ABC News. At this point, the bombers have no orders beyond that, according to the sources. The moves come as tensions between Iran and the West have escalated over its nuclear program and the Trump administration weighs its options. MORE: Bombing Iran's underground Fordo nuclear plant might not be effective, one expert says Trump has had numerous meetings with national security advisors this week and said in a statement that he would decide within "in two weeks." The president is slated to have another Situation Room meeting later Saturday evening. The bombers could stay at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam for some time, but the question is for how long. Moving these aircraft does not mean that a final decision has been made. MORE: Israel-Iran live updates: Multiple B-2 stealth bombers head to Guam, sources say In addition to the bombers, eight refueling tankers took off just before midnight on Friday in Oklahoma, flew over Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico before turning around and landing at the same base they took off, ABC News learned. Over the past week, speculation has grown as to whether the Trump administration would use the 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrator to target Iran's deep underground uranium enrichment facility in Fordrow. The B-2 is the only U.S. Air Force bomber capable of carrying the MOP on bombing missions, with each bomber can carry two bombs. Attention turned to Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, which is the home to all 19 of the B-2 bomber fleet, and whether they might be launched for a nonstop flight to Iran that would require multiple mid-air refuelings. Attention was also focused on the small British island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean that would afford B-2 bombers a much shorter flight time to Iran. In April, six B-2 bombers were deployed to the island as part of the sustained air campaign that the Trump administration had launched against Houthi militants in Yemen because of their continued attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea region. The bombers carried out airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, but their deployment was also a strategic message to Iran at a time of heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Guam governor visits Taiwan, US territory would play key role in China invasion scenario
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan this week is hosting the governor of Guam, the U.S. Pacific territory that would almost certainly be a key player in any Chinese military moves against Taiwan. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero is making her first trip to the self-governing island democracy since taking office in 2019. In that time China has significantly boosted its threat to invade Taiwan with new ships, missiles and warplanes. Military planners usually include Guam in their war gaming due to the large amount of U.S. troops and hardware it hosts. Though Taiwan and the U.S. have no military treaties or even diplomatic ties, Washington is expected to respond to any Chinese attack and use Guam as a staging point for many of those operations. The island hosts about 9,700 members of all main branches of the U.S. military. Guam is located east of the Philippines, about 4,750 kilometers (3,000 miles) from the Chinese mainland, putting it within range of Chinese ballistic missiles, including those fired from submarines. Previous crises involving China and the U.S. over Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, have sparked minor panics on Guam, with many people wondering whether the island would become a target for Chinese missiles. Guam has been an important military outpost since World War II, dominated by Andersen Air Force Base and its many outlying installations. There also is a robust naval and marine presence with about 30% of the territory's land occupied by U.S. military installations. Guerrero arrived in Taiwan on Sunday and is due to stay through Saturday. She is scheduled to meet with President Lai Ching-te and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, visit the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and meet with several local mayors, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Tourism, health care and fisheries also will be on her agenda, according to the Foreign Ministry. Residents of Guam are U.S. citizens, although they are not allowed to vote in presidential elections. Taiwan has worked hard of late to reinforce its relations with South Pacific Territories against inroads from China.
The Independent
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Guam governor visits Taiwan, US territory would play key role in China invasion scenario
Taiwan this week is hosting the governor of Guam, the U.S. Pacific territory that would almost certainly be a key player in any Chinese military moves against Taiwan. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero is making her first trip to the self-governing island democracy since taking office in 2019. In that time China has significantly boosted its threat to invade Taiwan with new ships, missiles and warplanes. Military planners usually include Guam in their war gaming due to the large amount of U.S. troops and hardware it hosts. Though Taiwan and the U.S. have no military treaties or even diplomatic ties, Washington is expected to respond to any Chinese attack and use Guam as a staging point for many of those operations. The island hosts about 9,700 members of all main branches of the U.S. military. Guam is located east of the Philippines, about 4,750 kilometers (3,000 miles) from the Chinese mainland, putting it within range of Chinese ballistic missiles, including those fired from submarines. Previous crises involving China and the U.S. over Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, have sparked minor panics on Guam, with many people wondering whether the island would become a target for Chinese missiles. Guam has been an important military outpost since World War II, dominated by Andersen Air Force Base and its many outlying installations. There also is a robust naval and marine presence with about 30% of the territory's land occupied by U.S. military installations. Guerrero arrived in Taiwan on Sunday and is due to stay through Saturday. She is scheduled to meet with President Lai Ching-te and Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung, visit the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and meet with several local mayors, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Tourism, health care and fisheries also will be on her agenda, according to the Foreign Ministry. Residents of Guam are U.S. citizens, although they are not allowed to vote in presidential elections. Taiwan has worked hard of late to reinforce its relations with South Pacific Territories against inroads from China.
